NRC Announces Hearing Opportunity on Holtec Application For Proposed New Mexico Spent Fuel Storage Facility‌

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Press Release

No: 18-031 July 18, 2018

CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8200

NRC Announces Hearing Opportunity on Holtec Application For Proposed New Mexico Spent Fuel Storage Facility‌

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced an opportunity for the public to request an adjudicatory hearing on Holtec International’s application for a license to construct and operate a consolidated interim storage facility for commercial spent nuclear fuel in Lea County, N.M.

The announcement, published July 16 in the Federal Register, describes the requirements and procedures for filing a request for a hearing and petition to intervene. The deadline for requests is Sept. 14.

Holtec submitted its application March 30, 2017. The company intends initially to store 500 canisters holding approximately 8,680 metric tons of spent fuel, and eventually to store up to

10,000 canisters at a dry cask storage facility located about halfway between Carlsbad and Hobbs, N.M. The NRC formally docketed the application Feb. 28, and published a Federal Register notice March 30, initiating its environmental review. The period for submitting public comments on the scope of the environmental review closes July 30.

If granted, a hearing would be held before three administrative judges appointed from the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel. Hearing contentions may raise issues of law or fact with Holtec’s application.